This easy Spanish rice made in the rice cooker comes together with a few simple ingredients, including a can of tomatoes, a diced onion, and some flavor-filled spices, so all you have to do is dump everything in, set it, and forget it!
I love a good rice recipe. You are in for a treat with these too: Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice, Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice and One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
I don’t think I’ve ever said no to Mexican food. There are so many rich and bright flavors and eclectic ways to serve it that I doubt I’ll ever get sick of it! Easy Spanish rice made in the rice cooker is just one of those easy Mexican side dish staples that you must try. All you do is throw all the ingredients into the rice maker, and voila! You have rich, flavorful rice with almost zero effort.
I prefer using a rice cooker over stovetop rice because I am cursed with crunchy rice every single time I cook it in a regular old pot. Seriously. It’s sad how difficult it is for me. So a rice cooker simplifies everything since I don’t have to mess with it after throwing in all the ingredients! This rice is so delish and goes great in burritos and enchiladas, or as a side for any of your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex meals!
Tips and Tricks for Making Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker:
- I have this rice cooker and love it (it makes 20 cups of cooked rice, perfect for a party or crowd!). I know that the Instant Pot has a rice cooker function that also works great.
- You can serve this as a side to tacos (like our favorite Best Chicken Tacos Ever), and it's also great tucked inside Smothered Burritos.
- This easy Spanish rice recipe makes a fair amount. If you don't use it all, it freezes really well. Once it's cooled, place extras in a zipper-topped freezer bag, label, and freeze. It should keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
What is the difference between Spanish rice and Mexican rice?
The differences between Spanish rice and Mexican rice are very subtle. Spanish rice is more firm and heartier while Mexican rice tends to be softer in texture. The color also varies between Spanish and Mexican rice because of the different spices used. Spanish rice tends to be more yellow in color because of the saffron, while Mexican rice is more of a reddish color due to the cumin. This Mexican rice isn’t the most authentic dish but is sure tastes delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
You sure can! I do and prefer it. Just make sure to increase the liquid by one cup, and you’ll be solid. In general, a long-grain rice makes the pieces of rice less sticky and more individual, while short-grain tends to be stickier and more like a traditional Spanish rice consistency.
My recipe for easy Spanish rice calls for a couple cups of rice, a can of diced tomatoes, water, a small onion, bouillon, chili powder, salt, cumin, and garlic powder. Super simple, and super delicious.
You can! Just follow the instructions for the rice cooker function on your Instant Pot.
This recipe makes a good amount of Spanish rice -- if you have leftovers, it freezes really well. Place remaining cooled rice in sealable bags and freeze for up to two months. To thaw it out, place the bag in a bowl of warm water before heating through to serve!
If you’ve tried this tomato rice recipe or any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories AND add your photo to your comment so that other can see your creation.
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Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Makes 5 cups of cooked rice 1x
Description
Spanish Rice made in the rice cooker with a few simple ingredients - just dump, mix, set it & forget it! An easy recipe cooker recipe your family will love!
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice (14-ounce )
- 3 ½ cups water
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 bouillon cubes or 3 teaspoons Better than Bouillon
- 1-3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin or smoked cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place the rice in the bottom of the rice cooker and then add the diced tomatoes and water. Add the onion and spices and stir a little on the top to dissolve the spices in the water.
- Cook according to manufacturer's instructions.
- When the rice is cooked, test for salt and add more if needed.
- Serve as a side dish or inside your favorite burritos and tacos.
Notes
- I use brown rice often and increase my water by one cup. The Spanish rice in the pictures was made with brown rice and I bet you didn't even notice. Your family won't either.
- You can use chicken or vegetable stock in place of the bouillon and water.
- The amount of chili powder you use is going to depend on how much you like. I'd try it with 2 tablespoons first and then you can go up or down from there depending on your preferences.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Rice Cooker
- Cuisine: Spanish
Keywords: Spanish rice recipe, easy rice cooker recipe, how to make Spanish rice, best rice cooker recipes
Other rice recipes you'll love:
- Easy Korean Ground Beef and Rice
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cilantro Rice and Bean Bake (vegetarian enchilada casserole)
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
- One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Cajun Beans and Rice Recipe
- One-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinner
- Simple Santa Fe Rice with Cilantro and Garlic
- Stove Top Chicken and Rice
- One Pot Coconut Chicken and Rice
- Easy Rice Pudding
This easy Mexican rice in the rice cooker is so divine and full of flavor that you’ll be wanting to make it as a side every time you enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal!
Joe
Should this almost fill my rice cooker?!?
Melissa
No, not before cooking because it will still need to expand. Is yours a 6-10 cup rice cooker?
Holly
This is a wonderful recipe and I thank you so much for it. I use a rice cooker, that depending on how many cups of rice you start with there is a measurement on the inside of the cook pot as to how much water to add. I use chicken broth and add first my rice, then my tomatoes with juice, and then fill to the line with chicken broth. Add spices , stir, cover, and Presto! Now I can save money and also control the sodium which is way too much in the prepackaged Spanish rice. Cheers!
★★★★★
Rebecca
Way less broth/water. And no chili powder more garlic powder/salt.
★★★
Greg bowie
I used basmati rice. Reduced water by 1/2 cup. Turned out great.
★★★★
Melissa
Thanks for letting us know what worked!
Brad
I did less water as well but also did it in the rice cooker so I made sure to fill the water according to the amount of rice used. Was ridiculously good, thanks for the recipe!!
DeH
Calls for way too much water. It came out very mushy. I should have trusted my instincts and reduced the water beforehand
Lisa
How much water should be used then?
Carly Kalkoffen
Hi! I made this but it was too much I know you said it would freeze but have you ever cut the recipe in half? If I do that do I keep some stuff the same and just half the rice & liquid?
★★★★★
Jay
I made this, was delish. Defo going to make it again. I am in the uk and went really well with a Spanish Chicken I bought from Morrisions. I substituted the Boullion for a Knorr Stock Pot (Paprika & Sun Dried Tomatoes) Mouth Watering just thinking about it. I used Basmatti Rice, but will reduce the water content next time as it came out a bit mushy. All in all, very tasty.
★★★★★
Yvonne Maisonette
Mexican rice is not Spanish rice! They are two different animals.
Jay
Yvonne, she doesn't say it's Mexican rice, She says it'Spanish Rice. Think you need to read a bit more slower.
She says "This rice is so delish and goes great in burritos and enchiladas, or as a side for any of your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex meals!" Doesn't say Mexican Rice. It goes Great with mexican or tex-mex.
She also says "This easy Spanish rice in the rice cooker is so divine and full of flavor that you’ll be wanting to make it as a side every time you enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal! Again....Enjoy a Mexican Inspire Meal Doesn't say Mexican Rice.
★★★★★
Marianm
Can I use Basmati rice for this recipe?
★★★★
Melissa
You can!
Jay
Melissa, you may have to reduce water amount, mine came out very mushy
Jordan
Are you using the scoop that came with your rice cooker to measure the rice? If so, those are not actual 1 cup measurements, actually closer to 3/4C, which will definitely cause some issues considering you'll be using 1/2C less rice than the recipe calls for. Just FYI.
Chels
We make this at least once a month. Don’t change a thing, it’s a perfect recipe! Our go to all the time, and we get a ton of requests for it too!
★★★★★
Monte
First attempt at Spanish rice. My family loved this! I will print and bookmark this recipe for future! Thanks!
Lisa
Do you drain the tomatoes?
Melissa
Nope, leave the juice in!
Laura
Amazingly simple and delicious. Only thing g is that it's too spicy after adding the 2Tbs. Is there anything I can do to tone it down other than adding cheese?
★★★★★
Melissa
Yep, just add less next time! You can half the chili powder for sure and adjust it to taste.
Kimberly
I made this last night to go along with some enchiladas and black beans, and it was delicious. I have recently discovered my rice cooker, and love it. It smelled heavenly while it was cooking. Flavors were really good. What setting do you use to cook it at, mine turned out really mushy. I had used the brown rice setting, and I am thinking that was way too long. Still good though.
Ileana
Thank you so much for this version. I am Mexican and all my family cook good rice the traditional way and so did I until about 5 years ago that I became cursed with under or over cooked rice. When I succeeded using your recipe I almost cried. My husband is also indebted to you 🙂
★★★★★
Melissa
Oh! I love hearing that, happy to help break the curse, I'm terrible at stove top rice too for some reason...
john
thanks
Robert TODD Pickens
Stupid question, my rice cooker has a little "cup", it is not a standard cup measurement. There are lines in the pot that are numbered, if you fill it to "2" you are supposed to put 2 "cups" of rice also. I'm not sure I have the water correct. Sorry, I'm just a dumb dude trying to be Chef Ramsey??
Melissa
That little cup always threw me off too... I just measured with a measuring cup for this recipe!
Jake
That cup shouldn't throw you off, its how you properly measure the rice for a rice cooker. It matches up with the notches inside. 2 of those smaller cups of rice get placed in the cooker and then you fill the water to the "2" line and its perfect every time.
You'll find that many people who use rice cookers, make errors when someone says 2 cups of rice and use actual cup measures. Their rice has way too much water and ends up soggy. You may want to edit the original 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
Flaco
We just wanted to clarify,
1- 14 ounce of dice tomatoes.
Not 114 ounces. HAHA
★★★★
Melissa
Correct, I edited that for easier understanding
Robert TODD Pickens
???
David Smith
So 4 and 1/2 cups of water to 2 cups brown rice (and the tomatoes also?)
Melissa
Yes!